Silver lining! Preethi Pal wins second silver at Asian Para Games with sprint double

Preethi Pal (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India's Preethi Pal continued her impressive run at the Asian Para Games 2026, clinching her second silver medal of the continental event with a runner-up finish in the women's 100m T35 race on Wednesday. Preethi clocked 13.98 seconds to secure silver, adding to the medal she won in the women's 200m T35 event on Tuesday. The double podium finish further underlined the Indian para-athlete's consistency on the track.

From rural Uttar Pradesh to the international podium

Preethi has overcome significant physical challenges to establish herself among India's leading para-athletes. Born into a farmer's family in rural Uttar Pradesh, she faced difficulties from birth because of weakness in her legs and an irregular leg posture. Her legs were plastered for six days after she was born, and she underwent traditional treatments in an effort to strengthen them. At the age of five, she began wearing callipers, which she continued to use for eight years. Her introduction to para-sports came at the age of 17, when videos of the Paralympic Games on social media sparked her interest in athletics. Her journey gained momentum after she met Paralympian and mentor Fathima Khatoon, who encouraged her to compete at district, state and national levels. Preethi made her international debut at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023 before making a major breakthrough at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, where she won bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events.

Paralympic medals and growing record

Preethi further enhanced her reputation at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, winning bronze medals in the women's 100m and 200m T35 events. She became the first Indian woman to win two track-and-field medals at a single Paralympic Games. Her achievements also include a silver and three bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, four gold medals at Indian Open tournaments and a gold at the New Delhi Grand Prix. With two silver medals already secured at the Asian Para Games, Preethi has added another significant chapter to her career, demonstrating the resilience and consistency that have marked her rise in international para-athletics.